The sire
Lauries Crusador xx is the biggest success story for the thoroughbred influence in the warmblood breeds of our time. No other stallion has had this kind of influence in the dressage breed lately, and his stallion line in both the Hanoverian and Westfalian breeds is strong and represented by high quality sons like Laudabilis, Londonderry and Laurentianer. "Lauries" with his outstanding type, his classical TB frame, the cadence, uphill tendency and elegant way of moving in all three paces and last but not least the high rideability he posesses is the perfect example of how modern breeds can profit from an outside bloodsource without losing identity, movement or athleticism. Lauries sired a number of internationally active Grand Prix dressage horses, and with the exception of Prince Thatch xx, that cannot be said of any other TB stallion of our time. And finally, the influence of Lauries Crusador xx also enters the Trakehner breed, with his first approved son in 2006 (Krokant) and good brood mares, as well as competition horses (e.g. Isengart, NMS 2005, sold at auction to Darren Chiacchia, Independence Farm, USA through Trakehners International, now an under saddle winner in eventing).
The dam
Hera XLIV is a full sister to the major sire EH Hohenstein, a stallion with significant influence on almost all warmblood breeds in the world. Second dam sire Matador was Donauwind's most popular son, even if not his best. Matador left several outstanding brood mares, among them the famous SPS,PS+ES Miami, dam of EH Michelangelo and EH Monteverdi TSF. Donauwind of course, is also known as the sire of the legendary show jumper Abdullah and many other, very good stallion sons. Out of very close maternal relation come also the stallions Horizon (ATA), Harlem Go, Hamlet Go, Hohenstein II (Hungary) and a number of excellent performance horses in all three disciplines. Same family as stallion candidates 8 Halimey Go, 31 Honoré and 60 Hachez.
Photo by Gräfin A. Dohna
